Chicken With Rice (Arroz Con Pollo)
Arroz con Pollo is a flavorful Latin American dish featuring tender chicken cooked with seasoned rice, vegetables, and aromatic spices like saffron and parsley. Its rich, savory taste makes it perfect for family dinners and gatherings, offering a comforting and colorful meal with vibrant flavors.
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 to 3 lb. fryer chicken, cut up ⓘ
- 2 cups rice
- 2 medium onions ⓘ
- 1 medium green pepper ⓘ
- 1 Tbsp. vinegar
- 3 garlic cloves ⓘ
- 1/2 cup tomato sauce ⓘ
- 4 Tbsp. olive oil
- 4 cups chicken broth ⓘ
- 1 (8 oz.) can sweet peas ⓘ
- 1 (4 oz.) can pimentos ⓘ
- 4 Tbsp. parsley ⓘ
- saffron ⓘ
- 2 tsp. salt ⓘ
- 1/4 tsp. black pepper ⓘ
- 1 bay leaf ⓘ
- 1/4 cup cooking dry wine ⓘ
Instructions
- Cut the chicken into pieces and cook in a pressure cooker with 4 cups of water, salt, 1 chopped onion, 1/2 chopped green pepper, and 1 tablespoon of vinegar for 15 minutes.
- Bone the chicken and break the meat into approximately 1 x 2-inch pieces.
- Strain the broth and keep it aside.
- In a large skillet, heat the olive oil and add mashed garlic, chopped onion, and chopped green pepper.
- Add rice to the skillet and cook until lightly toasted.
- Stir in tomato sauce, chicken broth, saffron, salt, black pepper, bay leaf, and dry wine.
- Add the cooked chicken pieces and peas, pimentos, and parsley.
- Cover and simmer until the rice is tender and the liquid is absorbed, about 20-25 minutes.
Tips & Substitutions
For a richer flavor, consider marinating the chicken in the vinegar, garlic, and some spices for a few hours before cooking. If you don't have saffron, turmeric can be a budget-friendly substitute to achieve a similar color. You can also use brown rice for a healthier twist, though it may require additional cooking time. For a quicker version, use rotisserie chicken.
Serving Suggestions
This dish pairs beautifully with a fresh green salad or some crusty bread to soak up the flavorful broth. You might also consider serving it alongside black beans or a side of plantains for a complete meal. For added freshness, garnish with lemon wedges or extra parsley before serving.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftover Arroz Con Pollo in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, you can microwave it in a covered dish, adding a splash of chicken broth to prevent dryness, or warm it on the stove over low heat, stirring occasionally until heated through.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Chicken With Rice (Arroz Con Pollo) contains roughly 591 calories, with 20g protein, 71g carbohydrates, and 30g fat. It is an excellent source of iron (79% of the Daily Value), vitamin C (78% of the Daily Value), and potassium (41% of the Daily Value), and a good source of calcium. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 2054mg per serving (89% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use brown rice instead of white rice?
Yes, you can substitute brown rice for white rice, but keep in mind that it will require a longer cooking time and more liquid. Generally, brown rice takes about 40-45 minutes to cook, so adjust your simmering time and liquid accordingly.
What can I do if my rice is undercooked?
If your rice is undercooked, add a little more chicken broth or water, cover the skillet, and continue to simmer on low heat. This will allow the rice to absorb the liquid and finish cooking. Check frequently to avoid overcooking.
Can I make this dish ahead of time?
Absolutely! Arroz Con Pollo can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator. In fact, the flavors often deepen and improve after a day. Just reheat gently before serving, adding a bit of broth if needed to restore moisture.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).